Credit: Imago

Harri Burton

Sat 16 May 2026 14:36, UK

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Don Robertson had the difficult task of keeping emotions from bubbling over as Celtic and Hearts clashed in the final game of the season.

Derek McInnes’ side needed just a single point to lift the Scottish Premiership title, while the Hoops required all three points in front of a packed-out home crowd on Saturday, 16 May.

Lawrence Shankland had other ideas, however, hitting the back of the net in the 43rd minute, before Arne Engels was given the chance to equalise via a controversial penalty before the half-time break.

Daizen Maeda scored the all-important winner to deliver a fifth consecutive title, with Callum Osmand adding a late third, but some of the frustrations will be aimed at the referee’s performance.

Alistair Johnston leaves one on Jordi Altena

Before picking up his booking in the 35th minute, Alistair Johnston was deserving of a booking 11 minutes earlier when taking down Jordi Altena on the edge of Hearts’ box.

While it looked like an innocuous block to start with, replays showed the right-back leaving a very high arm on his opponent, which would explain why Altena required attention before play got back underway.

The Jambos will feel that his caution, a few minutes later, was justice served, and it forced him to walk a tightrope for the remainder of the game.

Don Robertson triggers Celtic Park over Beni Baningime injury

In the 51st minute, Kelechi Iheanacho stopped play after Beni Baningime appeared to pull up with a hamstring injury, which was a noble thing to do in such circumstances.

However, the home supporters didn’t take as kindly to the incident, with the Hearts midfielder walking across the pitch, and many believed that he was choosing to waste time already.

Robertson should have followed protocol by sending Baningime off at his nearest exit. He didn’t, and Celtic fans made their feelings known to the referee.

Callum McGregor escapes late sanction for simulation

With the Hoops hoping to see out the victory, the players were doing everything to eat up minutes at Celtic Park, and Callum McGregor should have seen yellow for his attempt to do so.

In added time, the captain threw himself to the floor, and had Hearts not attacked immediately after, the referee might have taken McGregor’s name. Luckily for the midfielder, he escaped with nothing.

That was, at least, until he flew into a high challenge in the 96th minute. Justice served.